Mechanical scorer



Nov. 5, 1935. E, F, BOSTWICK 2,019,887

MECHANICAL SCORER Filed Jan. 24, 1935 I l I I I I l I I I l I I I l l I II I I l I I I l I I I IIIIIIIIIII'III/ IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ an,

INVENTOR- 1 .24 ly. Elwood E'Bostm'ck Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention pertains generally to score registers designed principally for keeping a record of the scores made in games of cards and similar amusements, and pertains more particularly to I a mechanical scorer adapted for use in playing bridge.

A feature of the invention comprises the provision of means for mechanically indicating both the trick score and the premium score for each i side as made, and for keeping trick scores which have counted toward game separate from trick scores which are counting toward game to be made, at the same time arranging the two portions of the trick score so that at the end of the i rubber the total trick score for any side may be disposed in a single column, together with the premium score for said side so that the total score for each side may be quickly and easily determined by addition.

A further feature of the invention comprises the provision of means for indicating for each player the plus or minus score obtained after each rubber by subtracting the lower score from the higher.

A further feature of the invention comprises the provision of means for indicating-when duplicate bridge is being played-the side which is playing with the light cards and the side which is playing with the dark cards.

A further feature of the invention comprises the provision of means for indicating whether or not either side has a game counting toward rubber, or, in the case of contract bridge, whether either side is vulnerable.

A further feature of the invention comprises a mechanical scorer which is compact, simple in construction and easy to operate, which may be readily manufactured at low cost and which keeps the score registered in full view where it may be quickly and easily seen by all of the players.

Further features of the invention reside in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, which, together with other features, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art as the specification proceeds and upon reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the rear of the mechanical scorer.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the front of the mechanical scorer.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view shown broken and partly in section illustrating the construction and operation of the tabs.

. of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section shown broken on line 66 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, at II) is shown a pad shaped framework illustrated as of oblong contour and of rectangular-like cross-section, having upon its front face II the conventional we and "they columns I2 and I3, and the conventional line l4 for dividing the pre- 10 mium score from the trick score.

The we column and the they" column are each provided with a row of hinged tabs illustrated at l5 and I6 respectively. All of the tabs for the we column are shown in non-scoreregistering position. All of the tabs for the "they columns are shown in non-score-registering position except the premium score tab [6a, which has been turned to its final registering position.

All of the we tabs are hinged on a pintle i1 shown dotted in Figure 2, and all of the "they tabs are hinged on a pintle 3, also shown dotted in Figure 2.

All of the tabs are conveniently triangularshaped in elevation, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the larger ends of the tabs l 5 being hinged on the pintle l1 and the larger ends of the tabs It being hinged on the pintle l8, leaving a flat end IS on the tabs l5 and a flat end 20 on the tabs l8 adjacent the pintle in each case.

Means are provided for holding each tab in three positions to wit: (1) non-score-registering position, (2) intennediate-score-registering posi-' tion, and (3) final-score-registering position, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

The front face ll of the framework I0 is conveniently provided with a depressed longitudinal portion on both its left and right hand sides as shown at 22 and 23 respectively, to accommodate the respective tabs l5 and IS.

The upper face I l of framework I0 is also provided with a centrally and longitudinally arranged channel 24 and longitudinally arranged channels 25 and 26 one on each side of the channel 24 and substantially midway between channel 24 and sides 21 and 28 of the frame I0.

One edge of channel 25 is joined with the upper edge of side 21 by an upwardly and outwardly sloping face 29 and the other longitudinal edge of channel 25 is joined with an upper edge of channel 24 by an upwardly and inwardly sloping face 30. Depression 22 thus comprises channel 25 and sloping faces 29 and 30.

I One longitudinal edge of channel 26 is joined with the other longitudinal upper edge of channel 24 by an upwardly and inwardly sloping face 3|. The other longitudinal edge of channel 26 is joined to the upper edge of side 28 by an upwardly and outwardly sloping face 32. Depression 23 thus comprises channel 28 and sloping faces 3| and 32.

As will be seen in Figure 3 pintle I1 is disposed longitudinally of and directly above channel 25 and pintle I8 is disposed longitudinally of and directly above channel 26.

A corrugated resilient member 34 illustrated as divided into sections and preferably of spring metal is disposed in the channel 25 beneath the ends of tabs l5. Member 34 is preferably arranged so that each upwardly extending corrugation 35 presses against the end of a tab l5 as illustrated in Figure 4, with at least a slight tension.

Channel 26 is likewise provided with a similar resilient member 36 arranged with respect to the tabs IS in a similar manner.

The rear face 38 of framework l8 has a contour similar to the face I I being provided with a centrally dispwed longitudinally arranged channel 48, longitudinally arranged side channels 4| and 42, slopingfaces 43 and 44 joining the channel 4| with the side 21 and one edge of channel 40, and sloping faces 45 and 46 joining channel 42 with channel 48 and with side 28.

Thus depression 41 for tabs 48 comprises channel 4| and sloping faces 43 and 44, and depression 49 for tabs 50 comprises channel 42 and sloping faces 45"and 46.

Channel 4| is provided with a corrugated resilient member 5| similar to member 34 which is preferably arranged in a similar manner with respect to the tabs 48. Channel 42 is likewise provided with a resilient member 52 of the same character.

Tabs 48 are hinged on a pintle 53 and tabs 58 are hinged on a pintle 54, pintles 53 and 54 being arranged with respect to channels 4| and 42 in the same manner as pintles l1 and H are arranged With respect to channels 25 and 28..

Pintles l1, I8, 53 and 54 may be supported by any desired means. The supports 55 illustrated comprise upwardly projecting relatively thin strips attached to the bottoms of channels 25, 28, 4| and 42. Supports 55 may project upwardly between two tabs as illustrated in Figure 5 or a tab may be provided with a slot in its end to accommodate support 55 as illustrated in Figure 6.

Referring now more particularly to the indicia on the respective tabs in Figure 2, it should be noted that the they tabs are duplicates of the we tabs.

The first we tab 58 is marked Cards dark, when turned toward the outside. It is preferred that the letters on this side of tab 58 be in a dark color, for instance, black.

Tab 58 is marked Cards light" on its other side, which is exposed when the tab is turned toward the center as illustrated in the they column. The letters on this side are preferably of a light color, for instance, red.

The remaining tabs l5 between line H and tab 58 are for registering the premium score. These tabs by the use of one or more may be employed to register the premium score in units of 10 from 10 to 11,570.

A tab 68 is provided opposite line I4 and is marked Game.

The tabs for the trick score are positioned below line I4 and tab 68 and are arranged with All of the tabs are preferably provided with exposed indicia in one color when in non-registering position and exposed similar indicia in another color when in final registering position, it being understood that the indicia is the same on both sides of any tab except for tab 58 previously referred to. For instance the tabs I5 below tab 58 when in non-registering position as shown in Figure 2 may have exposed indicia in black and similar unexposed indicia on the opposite sides in red. Thus, tab |8d which is in final registering position would have exposed numerals in red. Thus the color red visible on any tab below the tab 58 indicates that the particular tab is in registering position.

The tabs shown in Figure l, which indicate the plus and minus score, are arranged in six groups A, B, C, D, E, and F. One group is provided for each player. Six groups are provided in order to accommodate the mechanical scorer to a modification of the game in which others may be substituted at a table. Supports 55 are conveniently employed in Figure 1 to divide the tabs of different groups.

Tabs 58 in Figure 1 are the plus tabs and tabs 48 are the minus tabs. Tabs 50 and 48 are preferably in non-registering position when turned toward the outer edges 27 and 28 of frame W the same as tabs l5 and I6 and when in such position preferably expose their indicia in a color different from the color of the exposed indicia when the tabs are turned toward the center. For instance, when turned toward the outer sides tabs 48 and 50 may show their indicia in black and when toward the center may shown their indicia in red. As shown tabs A plus 5, B plus 5, C minus 5 and D minus 5 would appear in red and all of the remaining tabs would appear in black.

The device may be used as follows:

One or more mechanical scorers, according to whether or not scores are kept separately by sides or by individuals, are provided for each table and are placed on the table front up as shown in Figure 2. The tabs not in play remain toward the outside, black side up.

If duplicate is being played the correct tab 58 is turned toward the center to show which side is playing with the light cards. The opposite side will be playing with the dark cards.

When score is made the premium score is indicated by turning the correct premium score tab or tabs toward the inside, that is, to a position similar to that of the tab I611.

The trick score, however, is registered tentatively, unless game is made on the first hand, by bringing the correct trick score tab or tabs to an upwardly projecting or intermediate position illustrated at |5a in Figure 4. When the trick score is sufficient to make a game all of the trick score tabs are turned downwardly toward the inside to final registering position, and the side making game has its tab 68 turned toward-the inside to final registering position.

The trick score counting toward the next game is tentatively registered by bringing the correct trick score tab or tabs to the upwardly projecting or intermediate position as shown at la in Figure 4 and are not turned down to full registering position until the next game is made. If the other side makes game, its tab 60 is turned to full registering position and the trick score counting toward the third game (rubber) is tentatively registered the same as for games one and two. If the same side makes game two, of course, this constitutes "rubber.

Upon making rubber all red numerals for each side are added to obtain its total score, the lower score is subtracted from the higher and the difference is indicated on the back of the mechanical scorer as a plus and minus score in units of 100. As illustrated in Figure 1, A and B have a score of plus 500 and C and D have a score of minus 500. It will be noted that a plus or minus score for any one letter may be indicated from 1 unit to 81 units. V

It should be noted that by the use of a tab of triangular elevation in combination with the particular form of tab holding depression, the exposed surfaces of the tabs are in substantially the same plane whether in non-registering or in final registering position and when in an intermediate registering position the tabs project upwardly so that this position may be readily distinguished from either of the others.

It should also be noted that the free ends of the tabs when in non-registering position project slightly outwardly from the side edges of the frame Ill and when in final registering position project inwardly beyond the side edges of the channels 24 and 40. This makes it possible to readily engage any desired tab with the finger tip to operate the same.

In view of the corrugations 35 and the three faces on the end of each tab, each tab is resiliently held in any one of the three positions.

From the description and the indicia chosen, it will be noted that the particular mechanical scorer shown and described is adapted for the playing of contract bridge. However, the device may, by change of indicia, be adapted for playing auction bridge or other games.

It will be obvious that the mechanical scorer might be used for registering the scores in other ways. For instance, it might be desired to register the premium score tentatively by bringing the tabs to the intermediate position prior to moving them to final registering position. The same 5 is true of the game tabs.

Although I have described my invention in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications may be made in the same manner within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. In a score indicating mechanism having movable indicators arranged in groups according to the system of scoring, the combination comprising an indicating element, means for mounting said element for three different angular positions of adjustment, namely a. non-scoring position, a partial scoring position and a scoring position, and means arranged to hold said element in any of its adjustment positions.

2. In a score indicating mechanism having movable indicators arranged in groups according to the system of scoring, the combination comprising a frame, an indicating element, means for mounting said indicating element on said frame so as to have three positions of adjustment, namely a horizontal non-scoring position, an upright partial scoring position and a horizontal scoring position, and means arranged to hold said element in any of its adjustment positions.

3. In a scoring device, a base, two series of adjustable indicating elements displaceably mounted thereon, said elements being arranged in corresponding groups, progressive numeral values on said elements, the values in each group being identical, one series of elements designating positive values, and the other series negative values.

4. In a scoring device, a base, two series of adjustable indicating elements displaceably mounted thereon, said elements being arranged in corresponding groups, progressive numeral values on said elements, the values in each group being identical, one series of elements designating positive values, and the other series negative values, 4.5 the corresponding plus and minus groups being arranged laterally in the same zone.

ELWOOD F. BOSTWICK. 

